Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

As a first time parent of a seven month old boy, I have read numerous books and articles about babies requiring at least 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day. I’m concerned because my little guy fights going to sleep. Between two naps and his sleep at night, he’s only getting around 11 hours of sleep each day. What can I do?

A

First, it’s important to know you are not alone. Sleep, or lack of it, is probably the most-discussed aspect of child care. Secondly, everyone requires different amounts of sleep. Below... read more

First, it’s important to know you are not alone. Sleep, or lack of it, is probably the most-discussed aspect of child care. Secondly, everyone requires different amounts of sleep. Below are the recommended hours of sleep (including naps) for children up to 12 years of age:

0 to 2 months needs 10.5 to 18 hours of sleep

2 to 12 months needs 14 to 15 hours of sleep

1 to 3 years needs 12 to 14 hours of sleep

3 to 5 years needs 11 to 13 hours of sleep

5 to 12 years needs 10 to 11 hours of sleep

Children need to develop a routine for good sleeping habits. Make sure you’re putting him down for naps and bed at the same time every night. Try keeping the sleeping environment the same. If noise is an issue, try using a white noise device. Avoid over stimulation prior to bedtime. Television and loud music can make it difficult for children to get ready to sleep.

Finally, pay attention to your child and put them to sleep when they are tired. When a baby gets over tired, it may become harder for them to fall asleep. This can result in him waking up sooner, creating a vicious cycle of restlessness.

Q

My 7 and 9 year old are living proof that no two children are alike. They are both great kids, but I worry my 7 year old is becoming an insomniac. Can children have sleep disorders?

A

The simple answer is yes! Children are every bit as susceptible to sleep problems as adults, with almost 70% of children under the age of 10 experiencing some type of sleep issue. Children ca... read more

The simple answer is yes! Children are every bit as susceptible to sleep problems as adults, with almost 70% of children under the age of 10 experiencing some type of sleep issue. Children can suffer everything from insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleepwalking to sleep talking, night terrors and even, sleep apnea. I would suggest you speak to your family doctor or pediatrician if your child is suffering from any of these concerns. Also consider seeking a sleep medicine physician, as we specialize in nothing but treating sleep issues. The most important thing is to identify the problem and take steps to correct it, so your child can get the sleep they need.